A SCHEME worth nearly £1 million to revitalise Minehead’s tourist trade got a massive boost this week with an offer of over half the money from Hinkley Point funds.
West Somerset Council cabinet was told today (Friday) that £501,688 can be released towards a £982,609 plan to make Minehead a centre of excellence with a transformed seafront and a hospitality and tourism academy.
The Hinkley Community Impact Mitigation Fund (CIM) has recommended to the council that the money be released to finance the Enterprising Minehead project after being told that there was “room for improvement in the Minehead seaside resort experience”.
But the plan was praised by the CIM as a “well-thought-out package” and had the potential to draw significant match-funding into an area impacted by Hinkley Point C development.
The scheme, which will now go to a future meeting of the full West Somerset Council for final confirmation, aims to:
* Transform Minehead seafront with new attractions, major events and new business opportunities and concessions. Funding will contribute to revenue and maintenance costs.
* Establish Minehead as a centre of excellence through a hospitality and tourism academy to raise standards and encourage young people to join the industry.
* Develop a Minehead business improvement district to provide long-term sustainability and to fund improvements.
* Market Minehead more effectively on line and with promotions like a heritage trail, guided walks and a harbour market. Funds would part-finance a project officer for three years.
CIM fund manager Lisa Redston told cabinet members in a report that, in recommending the project to go ahead, the Hinkley Planning Obligations Board said it was a well-thought-out package based on an integrated approach.
Full report in the Free Press